Since the early June of the WWDC 2025, the technology community has paid attention to iOS 26. It makes sense: like all the major software updates, the new operating system will deliver with large new features and changes, but this year’s changes are greater than most, including Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design. But despite Hoopla, iOS 26 is not the next update that will be on the iPhone (of course you unless you install beta).
But while Apple finishes its Big Fall update, it will later work with a much smaller update that you will probably see before your iOS 26 hit your device: iOS 18.6.
Unlike iOS 26, iOS 18.6 doesn’t change much from your iPhone experience. It is expected: this is the sixth major update to iOS 18, so there are not many features left to add Apple. In fact, the only new feature sent with iOS 18.6 applies solely to EU users. These users find an updated experience when downloading applications and application marketplaces online. (EU law forced Apple to allow this application to “ignore” the process, while our outside Europe is still locked in the Apple App Store.)
Instead of large swinging, iOS 18.6 seems to be all stability. Apple seems to focus on squeezing existing errors and disturbances that have not been treated after the current version of iOS 18.5, iPhone software.
How to try iOS 18.6 early
From this song iOS 18.6 is on the third beta. As such, it is not clear when Apple officially plans to publish an update, but it is likely to arrive before the fall when the company intends to send iOS to the general public.
What do you think so far?
You can try iOS 18.6 right now if you want, even if you know you probably don’t notice anything new. If you register your Apple account with Apple Beta, you will see iOS 18.6 beta Settings> General> Software Update> Beta Updates. Just note that since this is a beta, you have the risk that the software contains errors and interference – even if this update is to be dismantled.
Of course, the real beta to focus on is iOS 26. Apple is expected to release the first public beta update next week, and when they do, you will see this update alongside IOS 18.6 Beta.
